Why scientists say more shark sightings in New England are a good thing
HAMPTON, N.H. —
There have been several shark sightings in the past few days just north of the New Hampshire Seacoast in Maine, raising concerns for swimmers but excitement among researchers.
Sharks are no strangers to New Hampshire waters. White sharks are often seen traveling through New Hampshire as they search for food between the Gulf of Maine and the South Shore of Massachusetts.
Shark season falls between July and November in this region. Experts with the Seacoast Science Center said more sightings of sharks and seals are actually good because they mean conservation efforts are working.
Research shows the ocean predators aren’t lingering along the shore, but searching for seals could bring them into shallow water.
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“It doesn’t mean they’re there all the time, everywhere,” said Nathan Fury, biological sciences associate professor at the University of New Hampshire. “But certainly, that is part of their habitat that they used to forage or trying to feed.”
Their movements are tracked and monitored. Electronic tags on the animals make sounds that humans can’t hear but are picked up by devices in the water that track their every move.
“It allows us to paint a broader picture of how white sharks, along with other animals, how are they moving in our coastal waters,” Furey said.
The town of Scarborough, Maine, posted about several sightings over the past few days. The town is encouraging beachgoers and anyone else out in the water to be aware.
The town recommended avoiding swimming near large pools of fish or seals, staying close to shore and not swimming alone. Swimmers were also urged to listen to lifeguards.
Ryan Lessard said he and his family have been hoping to catch a shark sighting in the wild for the past three years. On Wednesday, they took their boat out and were able to see two whites about 50 miles off the coast using his drone.
“It was just a magical moment that we’ve been looking forward to for years,” he said. “And my wife started crying when she saw it, too. So happy to see it, though. My daughter thought it was really cool, as well.”
He said sharks should be respected while in their natural habitat.
“If you can just have that respect and don’t be afraid, I think most of the time, you’re going to be all right,” he said.
Furey said people should be aware of sharks in the water like they’re aware of riptides or aware of sunburns that could result from not wearing sunscreen. But worries about sharks shouldn’t run a trip to the beach.
“I think it’s something that we have to be cognizant of. These are really incredible and powerful animals, and they are predatory,” Furey said. “But they’ve also always been here and, and these are their habitats.”
Officials in Maine are recommending that people avoid swimming near large schools of fish or seals, stay close to shore and don’t swim alone.